At 14 years old while attending C.R. Walker, Jodei Clarke was recruited by Coach Edmond who asked if she was interested in playing club soccer. She asked for her mother’s permission and was so happy when her mother reluctantly approved.
Two years later while in the 12th grade, Coaches Denise Ferguson and Rick Bowe on separate occasions asked Jodei what her plans were after graduating high school. She informed them of her desire to attend college, but told them that this would not be possible due to a lack of funding.
Having four sisters and being raised by a single mother, Jodei felt like attending college was impossible. Jodei told her coaches that she would find a job because she couldn’t go to school. Coach Rick asked Jodei to write a letter to United expressing her desire to attend college and to send a list of her academic and athletic achievements.
About a week later, Jodei was called into a meeting where the course of her life changed forever; she was notified that she would be the first recipient of United FC Scholarship to the College of The Bahamas.
With scholarship in hand, Jodei enrolled at the College of The Bahamas which is now the University of The Bahamas, and became an All-Star Athlete in Soccer and Softball.
She now attends University of The Bahamas where she will obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in May 2021.
Over a decade after having first joined United FC, Jodei is still a proud member. She gives back to the club by serving as Head Coach for both the U-9 coed and U-18 Girls Purple teams, as well as stand in Assistant Coach for the Men’s team. Jodei said she looks forward to, in the future, becoming a United FC Board Member, funding a player’s tuition and supporting United members on and off the field in whatever capacity she can.
